Orlando Drum has provided UN-rated containers to clients across the Florida Panhandle, including Pensacola, Tallahassee, Destin, and more, for over 40 years. We’re trusted to deliver compliant container solutions for multiple industries; whether you need UN-rated drums, pails, or any number of accessories, Orlando Drum is ready to work with you.
What are UN Ratings?
UN Ratings were established by the United Nations for the transportation of hazardous materials. Also called UN/DOT ratings (due to enforcement by the US Department of Transportation), they indicate whether the containers in question have met the proper safety testing thresholds for carrying dangerous cargo, and are legally required for shipping in the US and abroad.
When Do I Need to Use UN-Rated Containers?
UN/DOT-certified containers are absolutely required for the transportation of hazardous materials or something similarly dangerous. This can include, but is not limited to:
- Flammable or Combustible Items
- Toxic Material
- Hazardous Waste
- Corrosives
- Gases
- Radioactive Materials
The US DOT breaks hazardous materials into nine separate classes; depending on what you are shipping, the container must be properly labeled with the class and type of material. This is not just crucial for compliance, but key to protecting you, your workers, and the environment.
How to Identify UN Codes
Every certified container features an embossed, printed, or stenciled string of alphanumeric characters. To the untrained eye, it looks like a random serial number. To a compliance officer, it tells the entire history and capability of the vessel.
- UN Symbol: shows container passed regulatory testing.
- Packaging Code: the first number indicates the type of container, the letter shows material, and the last number describes the layout (i.e. closed-top or open-head.)
- Hazard Packaging Group & Max Loads: Shows the maximum hazard level that a container can safely hold, along with specific gravity metrics and maximum gross mass.
- Hydrostatic Pressure & Solid Designation: For containers holding liquids, this number denotes the hydrostatic test pressure rating measured in kilopascals For solids, it is shown as an “S.”
- Production Year, Country of Origin: The last two digits of the calendar year the container was manufactured, registered international code indicating where the vessel was tested and approved.
- Manufacturer or Certification Code: A unique alphanumeric string assigned by the governing agency that links the container directly back to the specific plant or reconditioning facility that certified it.
Orlando Drum Provides UN-Rated Containers to the Florida Panhandle and Beyond
Since 1974, Orlando Drum has been the premier commercial supplier of reconditioned and new UN/DOT-rated containment solutions, including drums and totes, that are engineered specifically for chemical processing, waste management, agricultural work, and more, throughout the Southeastern United States.
We offer direct, reliable logistics and container distribution across the entire Florida Panhandle, ensuring rapid turnaround times for businesses operating out of:
- Pensacola & Navarre
- The Emerald Coast (Destin, Fort Walton Beach)
- Panama City & the Forgotten Coast
- Tallahassee & surrounding inland shipping hubs
Don’t leave logistics or compliance to guesswork. Contact Orlando Drum today to request a quote or consult with our team on the exact UN specification your materials require.